September 29
- Florida Keys History Center
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
1847 – A ship’s boy rescued from the schooner St. Mary’s, wrecked at the Dry Tortugas, was discovered to instead be a girl, surprising both her crewmates and rescuers. The girl, Johanna, was taken to Key West and placed with a family there. The community was divided over her “donning attire not belonging to her” – some admired her pluck, others found it offensive.
1918 – A liberty boat returning to the USS Salem overturned and 18 men drowned. Eight bodies were recovered and buried in the Battleship Maine Plot in the Key West Cemetery. The Salem was flagship of the 12 submarine chasers based in Key West.
1938 – Key Wester Charles F. Dupont died at age 77. In 1888, he became the first elected African American Sheriff in Florida when he was selected by Monroe County voters. He served as Monroe County Sheriff for five years. Key West’s Dupont Lane is named in his honor.
1953 – The Swan Silvertone Singers, a nationally renowned gospel group, appeared at the Cornish Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church on Whitehead Street in Key West.
1958 – The bypass around the Naval Air Station Boca Chica was opened for traffic and the Station opened the new main gate off the highway overpass.
1960 – An official preliminary report issued by the Miami Weather Bureau said that Hurricane Donna struck the Florida Keys with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour, with gusts reaching 175 to 180. Lower Matecumbe, Craig, Long, Duck, and Grassy Keys, as well as Key Vaca, bore the brunt of the storm.
2005 – Staff for the National Weather Service issued their first forecast from their new Key West office on White Street. The $5.1 million building was built to withstand 165-mph winds and was elevated to resist flooding.
Information compiled by Dr. Corey Malcom, Lead Historian, Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
Image: Charles Dupont and family. From left: Irma, Sheriff Dupont, Cleo, wife Ida, Charles Jr. and daughter Ida in front. Gift Mrs. Helena A. Hudgen. Monroe County Public Library, Florida Keys History Center.
